roadquill1

Well six weeks have flown by faster than we would have hoped, and memories of our southwest travels will have to suffice until next year – along with the slight tans from screened sun that we achieved – for a few more days before spring rains wash them away. Our journey home was remarkable in that we never saw any rain – anytime! Even I-5 – usually a sponge bath with visibility limited by the spray from the transports, was bone dry.

The first notable city after our stay just north of Lakeview on Saturday, was Bend, OR on Easter Sunday.We had been given instructions by “Pam and Bill” – a couple we met at Patagonia (and again at Tombstone), to walk along the river park near downtown Bend. Good advice! It was a very pretty park on a beautiful Easter Sunday, with a few folks strolling throughout the downtown area, and a few kids finding Easter eggs in hedges, lampstands, and so on. We encountered a young couple wearing medieval costumes with tri-pointed clownish hats on the main drag, and we said “hello”, but right behind them was a younger couple dressed in “Goth”, with one holding the other on a leash. The one on the leash suddenly stepped in front of me and hissed like an scared cat. I ignored him, but we realized afterwards that I should have growled and barked right back!

  “The Bend” in downtown Bend.

Bend is surrounded by volcanic peaks, and they are really quite spectacular!

The “Sisters” and other lesser peaks near Bend and Sisters, Oregon.

The only spray we experienced was from snow melt just west of the town of Sisters, OR when we “coasted” downhill towards Salem through what must have been a very deep snow pack. Sandy figured out that the long orange poles at the sides of the road were to show the snow plows where the edges are!

Deep snow along the highways west of Sisters. The red substance is a kind of sand.

We stayed Sunday night at Woodburn, and then stopped at the Fabric Depot in Portland before rolling right on through Seattle to join our Walnut Grove family in the evening.

I did SO stop at Fabric Depot. (I was going to “edit” the photo by adding a Red Flyer filled with quilting supplies, but…I like the Quilter’s smile better than her glare!!)

We had two days with the very busy Lindsays and then headed home, arriving in Nanaimo yesterday afternoon in the rain, and in time for the Canuck show of penalty killing. Welcome home! However, the weather cleared enough today to mow the lawn, and I guess our spring is well and truly launched. Blossoms will soon be out here.

More music at Lindsays – a lesson                A mowed lawn: The beginnings of summer labour.

I hope that our adventures have been somewhat entertaining. Thanks for all of your comments. Let me know if you preferred the blog or the emails, and…don’t forget, you can “unsubscribe” if you need a break. I will probably continue with the “Roadquill” into the future, just because I kinda like doing it. My “roads” will include sailing voyages (without the Quilter – of course!), and a European trip in the Fall (with the Quilter, and two other couples).

We are glad to be home! Love, and best wishes to all. Drop in, or drop us a line.

Tony, the Quill, and Sandy, the Quilter.